Over the past few months, I have been honored to participate in two inspirational events within the Interfaith Community. On April 19, the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida hosted an “Evening of Gratitude.”  Speakers included Mayor John Peyton, UNF President John Delaney, Ambassador Nancy Sonderberg, Professor Parvez Ahmed, Imam Joe Bradford, journalist Frank Denton, Riverside Presbyterian minister Stephen Goyer, Rabbi Joshua Leif, Islam Leader Ashraf Shaikh and OneJax Executive Director Celeste Krueger.  Recognized for their contributions to our community were Mayor Peyton, who received the “Courage of Conscience Award,” John Delaney, who accepted the “Bridge Building Award” and OneJax who was honored with the ‘Diversity and Pluralism Award.”

  I was also privileged to attend the Installation and Mass of Thanksgiving of His Excellency

The Most Rev. Felipe J. Estevez, D.D. S.T. D. as the tenth Bishop of St. Augustine.  With over 2000 people in attendance at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, we enjoyed beautiful and motivational music. There was a group of Hispanics from Miami who ignored the heat and humidity to play their guitars, bongo drums, and tambourines singing their joyful songs of praise outside of the church. They serenaded the crowd before and after the event. Some of the attendees joined them when the service was over. Their joy was contagious!

Please let us know if your faith group has a notable event that you would like posted on our website.  Thank you for your continued dedication to the understanding, communication and respect of all the faiths in our community. 

We appreciate our diversity and celebrate our unity.

Helen Godwin, President

The Interfaith Council of Jacksonville